Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons vs. Kansas City Chiefs: To-Do Checklist For Week 13

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:30 p.m. ET

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Nov 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Atlanta Falcons huddle up before their game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 38-19. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off a much-needed bye week, the Atlanta Falcons got back on track this past Sunday and picked up a solid victory on the season by defeating the Arizona Cardinals 38-19.

With that win, the Falcons are still sitting pretty in first place in the NFC South at 7-4 but now eye arguably their biggest test in a while as the 8-3 Kansas City Chiefs will enter the Georgia Dome and present another team that has a nice amount of talent throughout the roster. The Chiefs are also one of the hottest teams in the league as they have won six of the last seven games including an overtime road win in Denver last week, a 17-point comeback against the Panthers and an impressive road win in Oakland. As a matter of fact, four of their last six wins have come on the road.

So the Falcons now have a talented team on a hot streak looking for another impressive road win on the season. To walk away victorious, the Falcons need to accomplish these tasks on their Week 13 checklist against the rugged Kansas City Chiefs.

Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) reacts with head coach Dan Quinn after recovering a fumble by the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

3. Eliminate Yards After The Catch

The stats tell the story that the Falcons are the worst passing defense.in the NFL. Those numbers only tell half of the story in regards to their passing defense.

One thing that is an issue is the Falcons releasing an uncomfortable amount of yards after the catch to the opposing receivers. Atlanta is ranked 32nd in the NFL in yards after the catch allowed per game with 139.0. While the Chiefs offense is 10th in the NFL in total yards after the catch this season with 1,442.

The passing scheme for Kansas City is not complex by any means. Starting tight end Travis Kelce is ninth in the NFL in total yards after the catch as 358 of his 675 total receiving yards have come after the catch. They also incorporate running back Spencer Ware into the passing game as well as wide outs Chris Conley and Tyreek Hill.

Eliminating yards after the catch takes a group effort by Falcons. Firm, sound tackling is the name of the game here. With the shiftiness of Hill and Conley and the toughness of Kelce and Ware, the Falcons can cut down on the big plays they have allowed by cutting down on yards after the catch for Chiefs offense.

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) calls a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2. Four Quarters of Matt Ryan

Ryan has looked much, much different this season compared to last.

His passes seem to be a little sharper, his accuracy appears to be the better than ever, and his decision making has reemerged.

Ryan is third in the league with 3,516 yards, third in passing touchdowns with 26 and behind his stellar play, Ryan’s 114.3 quarterback rating is one of the best in the league. What also stands out about Ryan is his quarterback rating per half. In the first half, he averages 108.9 quarterback rating this season, in the second half, Ryan cranks it up a bit with an average of 119.9 rating.

The veteran quarterback has also tossed 16 of his 26 touchdowns in the second half but has also averaged the better completion percentage in the first half at 70.1%. Four quarters of Matt Ryan is going to be critical for the offense and the Falcons in general. There is no doubt that the Falcons are one of the best when it comes to racking up yards and points, but Ryan and his impressive leadership has the Falcons in the successful position that they are currently within now. It does not have to be Ryan tossing touchdowns in each quarterback or totaling an exceptional amount of yards per quarterback, four quarters of Ryan for the Falcons can be a steady line of consistency to keep the Chiefs defense off balance.

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

1. Healthy Dose of Freeman & Coleman

The combination of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman has been a constant producer of efficiency in the run game and in the passing department for the Falcons this season.

Nov 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Cardinals 38-19. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Both are key components to the success of the Atlanta Falcons offense and their role on Sunday against the Chiefs may be as important as any contest this season.

Kansas City will enter the contest 29th against the run at 121.4 yards allowed per game, 22nd in the NFL in rushing plays allowed of 10 yards or more with 34, and have allowed over 100 yards rushing in five of their last six games with the sixth game being a 99-yard rushing total by the Panthers a few weeks back.

One thing about offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and the Falcons offense this season is their ability to attack the weaknesses of opposing defenses. It has been a common issue this season for the Chiefs defending running backs and with one of the best one-two punches in the NFL in Freeman and Coleman, the Chiefs may have their hands full on Sunday.